11 Best Small Towns In The Southern United States For A Crowd-Free Summer
You already know the South empties its small towns into the same few beaches every July. The ones worth your summer are quieter and weirder. Helen runs tube floats down the Chattahoochee for $14 under a full Bavarian facade. Plant City still crowns itself strawberry capital of the world and has the shortcake to back it. Hot Springs will sit you in the same mineral baths that once soaked Arkansas's gangsters between card games. Across these 11 towns you'll find German beer-stein feasts, axe-throwing in Hattiesburg, and easygoing summer the big destinations stopped offering long ago.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a lively coastal resort city that maintains a comforting pier-life atmosphere through its tourist attractions, large shopping centers, and eccentric amusement parks. Explore aquatic life ranging from the Amazon to the Arctic. Ripley offers VIP Penguin experiences for those wishing to have personal interactions with these spirited creatures. Younger audiences may enjoy their breakfast with mermaids, which allows children to socialize with dazzling mermaids. This unique aquarium experience is a must-see in Myrtle Beach.
Broadway at the Beach is a shopping center that has arcades, theaters, restaurants, jewelry stores, and so much more. This shopping center even has a haunted bookshop, Alice's Haunted Little Bookshop, which offers a simultaneously homey and terrifying experience. This shopping center exudes the eccentric values of the community with its lively music and playful nightlife. Family Kingdom Amusement Park is the perfect stop for families seeking thrilling rides and fun, easy carnival foods. This amusement park has both kiddie rides and rides sure to thrill the toughest rollercoaster fanatics. Dare to ride The Inferno, a 360-degree loop of a ride. Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a can't-miss for those wishing to indulge in the wild side of Myrtle Beach.
Helen, Georgia
Helen, Georgia, is a German-themed town in north Georgia known for its tubing, authentic cuisine, and its very own rollercoaster. Float down the Chattahoochee River with Cool River Tubing. There are 1 or 2-hour trips that cost 14 dollars a person Monday through Friday and 16 dollars a person on Saturdays and Sundays. This experience is perfect for families wanting to take it easy and soak in the nature of Helen in a unique way.
Thrill-seeking visitors may want to take a stop while sightseeing to take a ride on the Georgia Mountain Coaster. Riders have a hand brake for those wishing to take it slower, but this is purely optional for riders until the end of the track. Take a stop at the Georgia Mountain Coaster for a high-speed adrenaline-raising time. Given its German-themed aesthetic, Helen is home to authentic German cuisine. The highlight of any food lover's stay is undoubtedly a bite at Hofbräuhaus Restaurant. Take a stab at the Germanator, a pound of beef, two sausages, 8 slices of bacon, sauerkraut, cornbeef, and cheese, for a chance to win a beer stein that gets you discounted pints in any of the local restaurants.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a smaller community known for their scenic nature, eclectic museums, and their hot springs, of course. One cannot stop in Hot Springs, Arkansas, without taking a stop to experience its hot springs. In Hot Springs National Park, visitors are welcome to explore a multitude of historic bathhouses and natural curiosities. These lands are known for their scenic hikes, bountiful creeks, and enthralling geology. Soak in a relaxing spring or indulge in some drinkable spring water while strolling the grounds.
Garvan Woodland Gardens would be the premier stop for those wishing to step into a whimsical woodland and botanical garden. See the striking Anthony Chapel, a popular wedding venue, that resembles a geometric treehouse in its slated-wood walls. The 210-acre grounds have many trails filled with ornamental and native wildflowers and shrubs. The Gangster Museum of America is home to historical exhibits of some of America's most notorious criminals from the 1920s through the 1940s. Visit the museum to get the inside scoop on the New York Connection, casino dealings, and even Hot Springs' gambling racket history.
Keller, Texas
Keller, Texas, is a smaller city that prides itself on its community-building farmers' markets, art trails, and parks. Keller Farmers Market hosts a wide variety of vendors that offer anything from salsas to woodwork goods. This welcoming farmers' market is the stop for all handmade needs, with its many farm-to-table goods. Their website acts as a helpful guide to navigate the many baked goods, arts, condiments, wines, and more that are offered on a rotating schedule.
Keller City's Rock Art Trail is an elaborate artwork created with the efforts of the local community. The art trail is bordered by hundreds of painted rocks filled with lively colors and designs. The trails would also please any nature lover as they traverse bridges over creeks and soak in the sun through the scattered branches above. Bear Creek Park is an inviting park that allows visitors to get away from the business of city life and into the more natural side of Keller City. This park has 2 playgrounds, a wildscape garden with a waterfall, and a creek, just to name a few of its many amenities. This park would serve as the perfect stop for a picnic lunch.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is known for its thrilling aquatic life, ample museums, and awe-inspiring caverns. The Tennessee Aquarium has both river and ocean exhibits to satisfy any aquatic interests. Their butterfly gardens welcome families to learn about a wide variety of butterfly species as they interact with those flying around them. Their penguins also call in quite a bit of attention with their loud calls and feedings. This aquarium welcomes families and large groups with enough attractions to please any adventurous visitor.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is unique in the themed train rides that they offer. They operate on a rotating schedule and have anything from specialty spells and potions, tea train rides, to more relaxed local train rides. The trains travel along scenic routes in Chattanooga, allowing visitors to sightsee in an inimitable way. Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campgrounds is home to award-winning cave tours sure to amaze thrill-seeking visitors. The caves are lit up with an array of lights, allowing for the clear display of extremely well-preserved landscapes made by natural formations. These caverns are a must-see for geology enthusiasts.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, prides itself on its dedication to community history through its Downtown Mall, historical grounds, and retro-inspired Decades Arcade. Charlottesville's Downtown Mall is a welcoming tourist attraction that has art installations, the Paramount Theater, and some historical attractions such as the Three Notch'd Road. The mall welcomes many events as well, including a jazz festival in June. Explore the lively community of Charlottesville by taking a walk through the Downtown Mall.
Monticello is sure to impress any American History fanatic. It is home to the Declaration of Independence's principal author, Thomas Jefferson. Meet Thomas Jefferson, through means of an interpreter, as he retells the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence, then take a stroll throughout the grounds to discover rotating exhibits. Decades Arcade is a must-see for vintage video game lovers. They have a wide variety of pinball machines and older arcade cabinets. Classic characters such as Qbert and the crew of Street Fighter are sure to please those seeking 80s nostalgia. Decades Arcade welcomes families and large groups with its inviting atmosphere.
Albertville, Alabama
Albertville, Alabama, welcomes visitors with its rich cultural experiences through means of museum exhibits, parks, and sociable venues. Some must-sees on a trip include Main Channel Brewing, Sand Mountain Park, and Albertville Museum. Main Channel Brewing is a brewery founded in 2015 that sources its ingredients from local vendors to keep the craftsmanship within the community. They have rotating seasonal specials for those seeking to expand their palates. Their prices are reasonable, with most beers ranging from the 5 to 7 dollar range.
Sand Mountain Park is a massive complex that hosts a variety of amenities. The park has children's areas, multi-sport fields, aquatics, and more. The park even has therapeutic pools for those who would rather take it easy. Sand Mountain Park is a necessary stop for families looking to remain active during their vacations. The Albertville museum is the hub of all culture, history, and arts associated with Albertville throughout the years. This would be a great stop to explore the niche interests of the community. There is no charge to visit, but visitors must make sure to schedule their trips here in advance, as they do close for an hour break in the day.
Plant City, Florida
Plant City, Florida, is home to massive strawberry fields and incredibly friendly locals. Some more popular summer stops include Dinosaur World, Keel Farms, and Parkesdale Market. Dinosaur World is an essential stop for any dinosaur lover or little one. They have fossil digs, splash pads, and towering dinosaur figures on the park grounds. There are daily passes available or birthday packages for those wishing to party with the dinosaurs. Take a dive into paleontology at Dinosaur World.
Keel Farms operates Keel and Curley Winery and Keel Farms Agrarian Ales and Ciders. The grounds offer tastings, dining, and tours year-round. Their dining experiences offer handcrafted delights with multiple timeslots a day, allowing for ease in any trip planning. Tour the grounds to see the vineyard and stop for wine tastings to indulge in the full experience. Plant City is known as the strawberry capital of the world. To honor this title, Parkesdale Market is proud to serve the famous strawberry shortcake. This business has been family-owned since 1968, making it a long-standing part of Plant City's culture. The market sells various fruit preserves, jams, and jellies. They also sell baked goods like strawberry cookies and bread to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Prairieville, Louisiana
Prairieville, Louisiana, is known for its lively social life, active sports crowds, and its welcoming community. Fred's on the River is known for their live music and spirited atmosphere. There are karaoke nights, DJs, and live bands regularly to please any wild crowd. Check out their grilled fish tacos packed with bold flavors while sightseeing out onto the river.
Oak Grove Community Center and Playground is a perfectly casual stop for any family wishing to beat the heat while allowing their little ones to run off their energy. The playground has a splashpad just a few feet away, allowing for ease of visibility between both sections. Ascension Tiger Cages offers baseball hitting and pitching lessons where they can coach your little one to success in a few sessions. They also allow families and groups to spend time practicing their hitting in the cages. After the fun has been had and a sweat has been worked up, take a stop at Flo's Sno, a snow cone truck on the site. Grab any flavor from blue raspberry to tiger's blood to cool down after your hard work in the cages.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, welcomes visitors with its wildlife, diverse flea market, and adrenaline-filled pastimes. This flea market has over 35 vendors and is available to the public on the weekends. This lively market hosts food trucks as well, making it the perfect mid-day visit. Shop local vendors and explore the crafts, arts, and antiques the market has to offer.
Take a walk on the wild side at the Hattiesburg zoo. The zoo offers mining expeditions, high rope adventures, and educational experiences for little ones and adults alike. Cool off in the splash pad zone during the hot summer days or take a ride on the eco-friendly electric train to tour the zoo. Allow your little one to explore their adventurous side at the Hattiesburg zoo. Alley Cats Axe Throwing Company is an axe-throwing experience sure to thrill any adrenaline seeker. While a reservation is not required, it is encouraged to reserve your spot during busier times. They offer axe and hatchet throwing in a safe and controlled environment. The company also offers local eateries, beverages, and snacks to ensure a pleasing experience. Visit Alley Cats Throwing Company for a uniquely thrilling time.
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is home to a variety of visual and performing arts, culturally-driven museums, and many historical landmarks. Arts of the Albemarle is a lively and inspiring art hub of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. This center is home to a variety of performing arts, visual arts, and cultural experiences to help visitors explore the local community. The center also hosts open painting and writers studios for visitors to explore their creative talents. Explore the rotating exhibits that the Arts of the Albemarle has to offer.
The Museum of the Albemarle has both permanent exhibits and rotating exhibits. A permanent installation at the museum is the North Carolina Shad Boat. This boat is suspended in the air and has two sailors in action. The rotating exhibits pull in visual art and fiber art lovers alike with the multitude of art installations. Ghost Harbor Brewing Company is a historic landmark in Downtown Elizabeth City. They host private events and have venue rentals for those in town for special events. Their inviting atmosphere welcomes family and community to gather around and indulge in a wide variety of craft beers, including but not limited to pale ales and sours.
Summer the Big Destinations Forgot
From a Bavarian village floating tubes down the Chattahoochee to mineral baths in old Arkansas gangster country, these 11 towns are where the South still knows how to do summer right. Helen, Hot Springs, Plant City, and Hattiesburg each lead with a distinct personality that the bigger destinations long ago traded for crowds and pricing. Albertville's brewery scene, Charlottesville's downtown mall, Prairieville's river bars, Chattanooga's caverns, Elizabeth City's art halls, Keller's farmers market, and Myrtle Beach's pier-life all fill in the rest. Pick one and stay a long weekend, or string several together for an unhurried Southern summer.
